The Transport Minister has quietly cut bus services in the ACT by releasing the new timetable for 2023 without any associated announcement just two weeks before Christmas.

Shadow Minister for Transport Mark Parton said there will be a reduction in trips across the network along with a reduction in peak frequencies.

“The new timetable reveals a significant reduction of trips on routes 18, 24, 32, 41, 43, 54, 55, 59, 62, 63, 66, 73, 78, 79, R4 and R5,” Mr Parton said.

“Night services will also finish earlier across many routes which will mean that many workers will not be able to get the bus home after 8pm.

“Weekend buses will continue to operate every two hours despite promises from the Labor-Greens government to increase weekend frequency.

“These cuts represent a slap in the face for Canberrans who rely on the bus for day to day travel.

“What this demonstrates quite clearly, is that the Labor-Greens government has no ambition to get more Canberrans using public transport,” Mr Parton concluded.

The Canberra Liberals believe that the network cutbacks are due to the non-arrival of the promised new buses which were supposed to replace the retiring old Renault vehicles and the increased bus travel times associated with the raising of London Circuit.